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[fly high ~ayunite~]

I guess that's a fair enough answer. Here's the skinny on the series:

Mother 1 was on NES, and never came to the states. Mother 2 was on SNES, and came out in the states as Earthbound. Both are set in the modern day, but in a quirky crazy world. The humor in both games is pretty nutty, as is much of the game (thus the simple funny art style).

I suggest somehow happening upon a copy of Earthbound if you're curious about the series in general. If you like quirky funny games, you'll probably dig Earthbound.

Thanks. I'll go looking for the game tonight, I have alot of crazy SNES/NES obsessives in my hall of residence.

 

[Zilch]

Thanks. I'll go looking for the game tonight, I have alot of crazy SNES/NES obsessives in my hall of residence.

Wait a sec. First you say you were born in the early/mid 90s and now you're saying that you're in college (saying 'residence hall' would suggest that)? @_@

 

[Sabaku Ika]

HAL IS NOT DEVELOPING MOTHER 3! They're credited for the sound, anything else about the development is NOT known.

I was talking about Mother 2/Earthbound.

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

You're kidding, right?! What the hell were you doing during the SNES era?

I blame NOA's marketing. Looking at games in a store one day, my dad actually offered to buy Earthbound. But since the only thing I knew the game for were its gross and smelly ads, I totally turned it down.

I've since played the first Mother, but have been kinda hoping for a GBA or Virtual Console release to play Earthbound.

 

[Sabaku Ika]

Wait a sec. First you say you were born in the early/mid 90s and now you're saying that you're in college (saying 'residence hall' would suggest that)? @_@

Boarding middle schools do exist.

 

[fly high ~ayunite~]

Wait a sec. First you say you were born in the early/mid 90s and now you're saying that you're in college (saying 'residence hall' would suggest that)? @_@

Yes. I was born in Feb 1987. Funnily enough I didn't play many RPGs or games until I could read/follow the plots etc.

 

[Zilch]

Yes. I was born in Feb 1987. Funnily enough I didn't play many RPGs or games until I could read/follow the plots etc.

Oh ok. Your post suggested that you were born much later than that.

But that's no excuse! My youngest brother (born in 88) has played and completed Earthbound!

 

[Roland Stiles]

HAL programmed Mother and Mother 2.

APE is an art studio, and Itoi liked their designs so he had them do the art for the Mother series. Judging by these graphics, I would assume that APE is still behind the art/graphics/character designs.

Brownie Brown is most likely the developer because Itoi somewhere remarked he was working with them on a "secret project." The Brownie Brown site had a flash animation over Christmas that was Mother related (them fighting Darth Vader at work using Mother 2's battle engine).

It's pretty well assured that HAL is doing sound, APE is doing art, and BB is coding the game.

But Itoi is overseeing it all, so what the heck is the problem?

 

[Great Rumbler]

It may not be the best looking game on the GBA, but a recent foray into the Earthbound world a number of months ago is enough to convince me to get this regardless of what the graphics may look like. I bet it's going to have some good music...

 

[AniHawk]

People are complaining about the graphics? That's how they're supposed to look.

 

[Porridge]

HAL programmed Mother and Mother 2.

APE is an art studio, and Itoi liked their designs so he had them do the art for the Mother series. Judging by these graphics, I would assume that APE is still behind the art/graphics/character designs.

Brownie Brown is most likely the developer because Itoi somewhere remarked he was working with them on a "secret project." The Brownie Brown site had a flash animation over Christmas that was Mother related (them fighting Darth Vader at work using Mother 2's battle engine).

It's pretty well assured that HAL is doing sound, APE is doing art, and BB is coding the game.

But Itoi is overseeing it all, so what the heck is the problem?

that's pretty interesting. i've never heard that about ape being an art studio and i'd like to see a website if they have one

 

[CompositeMolar]

I bought Earthbound this summer and it's one the best game I ever had the chance to play. I had already tried the game when I was younger (9years old or so maybe? I'm almost 19 right now and it was about when the game came out) but only understanding french at the time I didn't get to far.

Anyway I can't wait for Mother 3 I just fear the game won't be comparable to the awesomeness that is Earthbound.

 

[thetrin]

I bought Earthbound this summer and it's one the best game I ever had the chance to play. I had already tried the game when I was younger (9years old or so maybe? I'm almost 19 right now and it was about when the game came out) but only understanding french at the time I didn't get to far.

Anyway I can't wait for Mother 3 I just fear the game won't be comparable to the awesomeness that is Earthbound.

Why did I assume anyone in the least bit interested in Mother 3 was over 20?

 

[Captain N]

The art style is nice and I've got no doubt that the game will be good, but I still wish it had been released on the N64.

 

[Bebpo]

The art style is nice and I've got no doubt that the game will be good, but I still wish it had been released on the N64.

Seriously, I don't know why Amir0x always bitches about the N64 shots. I think the N64 game looked awesome and that pic there looks just as good as Zelda OoT and other N64 games. I would've really liked a port of it to GC :\

 

[Juice]

The N64 game looked like a complete abortion that couldn't have possibly conveyed the same style the SNES one did.

I'm so incredibly elated by the GBA shots that I don't even care it's not coming to the DS anymore.

 

[GDGF]

This thread makes me very happy

 

[RevenantKioku]

Seriously, I don't know why Amir0x always bitches about the N64 shots. I think the N64 game looked awesome and that pic there looks just as good as Zelda OoT and other N64 games. I would've really liked a port of it to GC :\

It doesn't look bad so much as it just lacks that charm that EB had. Even Mother's crude graphics had more charm than the entirety of the EB64 shots.

 

[LordPhlegm]

I blame NOA's marketing. Looking at games in a store one day, my dad actually offered to buy Earthbound. But since the only thing I knew the game for were its gross and smelly ads, I totally turned it down.

I've since played the first Mother, but have been kinda hoping for a GBA or Virtual Console release to play Earthbound.

Same here. I ended up not buying the game because of that same reason back in the day, and it was pricey. Not sure why NOA did what they did with Earthbound (w/ regards to the ads), but it was one of the worst ad campaigns ever.

 

[BorkBork]

I remember asking my mom to pick up either Chronotrigger, Earthbound, or Secret of Evermore that year. She just picked the one with the biggest box. :lol I'm glad she did though, cuz I picked up CT from a friend later on.

 

[Akai]

that's pretty interesting. i've never heard that about ape being an art studio and i'd like to see a website if they have one

I thought they died a LONG time ago...

 

[FoneBone]

I like the screens, but they certainly don't boost my hopes for a US release.

 

[Roland Stiles]

I thought they died a LONG time ago...

The important part is that APE didn't program anything, nor was Itoi employed by them.

 

[Johnas]

I apologize if this has already been said, but I really like the way the website is set up for this game, slowly revealing one piece of info at a time. It's a great way to consistently build hype, and keep the game fresh on people's minds. I wish more games did something similar, particularly Zelda.

 

[GoutPatrol]

I almost started crying when I saw the first screens, I was so happy.

 

[Shaheed79]

Ok I'm really excited now. Earthbound is the most charming RPG ever created. The duality of the innocence of the main characters and the harshness of the world they must venture is perfect. There will never be another RPG series that does what Earthbound can do and as eloquently. Those who "get it" really really get it and the rewards are as satisfying as any RPG could ever be.

 

[Shaheed79]

Seriously, I don't know why Amir0x always bitches about the N64 shots. I think the N64 game looked awesome and that pic there looks just as good as Zelda OoT and other N64 games. I would've really liked a port of it to GC :\

For every great shot of EB64 there was an equally horrid battle shot. At the ver least the cutscenes might of been very nice but the gameplay shots were not that promising for the most part.

 

[LordPhlegm]

I remember asking my mom to pick up either Chronotrigger, Earthbound, or Secret of Evermore that year. She just picked the one with the biggest box. :lol I'm glad she did though, cuz I picked up CT from a friend later on.

Your mom has good taste.

For some reason, reading this makes me happy:

If NOA does the work it will be dont most likely by Bill Trinen and I think Alan Averill. Alan worked on the translation of Fire Emblem, path of Radiance, Advance WARS: Dual Strike, Mario Party 7, and Animal Crossing and he is a HUUUUUUUGE EarthBound fan.

Seriously hope this, along with Mother 1+2, will come State-side. For some reason, I feel the need to repeat the comment.

 

[jarrod]

Sorry Amir, I was a bit over the top. I like Mother as well (only played the 2nd) but part 3 looks great and it's always nice to see GBA stuff still goin'.

As for Contact, it's basically the spiritual successor to Shining Soul, only online and with a very Mother inspired aesthetic. By the people who made killer 7. Looks fucking fantastic imo...

 

[Roland Stiles]

Oh, I think Alan would be a good choice because of his EarthBound fandom--however, Bill Trinen supervises or translates, so he wouldn't be writing the English text.

The original, for those interested, was done by Dan Owsen, who isn't involved in the localization anymore (I would hope not, 11 years later!) I would be happy with a Nate Bihldorff localization (Mario&Luigi, Paper Mario) but I don't think that humor style is exactly the same as EarthBound--so my vote goes for Alan.

Then again, Alan is the newest member of the team, so who knows if the other guys would let him do a big sequel like Mother 3. Whoever does it, I'm sure it'll rock--NOA is my favorite localization team atm.

 

[Error]

Sorry Amir, I was a bit over the top. I like Mother as well (only played the 2nd) but part 3 looks great and it's always nice to see GBA stuff still goin'.

As for Contact, it's basically the spiritual successor to Shining Soul, only online and with a very Mother inspired aesthetic. By the people who made killer 7. Looks fucking fantastic imo...

holy shit this better come here looks amazing!

 

[duckroll]

Sorry Amir, I was a bit over the top. I like Mother as well (only played the 2nd) but part 3 looks great and it's always nice to see GBA stuff still goin'.

As for Contact, it's basically the spiritual successor to Shining Soul, only online and with a very Mother inspired aesthetic. By the people who made killer 7. Looks fucking fantastic imo...

Hey when did they announce a PSP port for Contact?! :lol

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

I apologize if this has already been said, but I really like the way the website is set up for this game, slowly revealing one piece of info at a time. It's a great way to consistently build hype, and keep the game fresh on people's minds. I wish more games did something similar, particularly Zelda.

If they followed a similar timeline for Zelda, though, we'd see the first ever screens of Twilight Princess months from now.

 

[FoneBone]

Worse, actually. Mother 3 GBA was first confirmed almost 3 years ago.

 

[Shaheed79]

I must say I love me some Earthbound but Contact looks shit hot. NOA better not screw us out of either of them!

 

[FoneBone]

I must say I love me some Earthbound but Contact looks shit hot. NOA better not screw us out of either of them!

Contact is a 3rd party title (which is why it was so hilariously moronic when people thought it was Mother 3).

 

[Shaheed79]

Contact is a 3rd party title (which is why it was so hilariously moronic when people thought it was Mother 3).

I meant translation wise. I'm down with Suda I know the score. So who is the publisher of Contact?

 

[JoshuaJSlone]

Worse, actually. Mother 3 GBA was first confirmed almost 3 years ago.

I'm thinking more in relation to actual release date. It's easy to maintain hype with new weekly information if you're only doing it for a period of ~10 weeks.

 

[Shikamaru Ninja]

HAL programmed Mother and Mother 2.

Nope. Nintendo Tokyo Products R&D programmed Mother 1. The programmers actually then became known as PAXSOFTNICA and did the programming part of a few niche EAD titles. Mother 1, Mother 1+2, Mole Mania, Donkey Kong '94, Hamtaro, Hamtaro 2, Hamtaro 3, Wave Race GB.

APE is an art studio, and Itoi liked their designs so he had them do the art for the Mother series. Judging by these graphics, I would assume that APE is still behind the art/graphics/character designs.

APE was a writing and art design team. Several people who were employed at APE, left to start GameFreak and Creatures.

It's pretty well assured that HAL is doing sound, APE is doing art, and BB is coding the game.

I doubt APE is doing any art to be honest. All the actual designers don't work there anymore. Maybe freelance.

But Itoi is overseeing it all, so what the heck is the problem?

Of course..

 

[BobTheFork]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo.....
The screenshots confirmed my worst fears.. its about the cowboy : (

I greatly misunderstood when he said he was using the original idea for mother 3. I guess those old screenshots with Mr. saturn and Dr. andonuts weren't for anything. I still want to play it but i thought we were getting "the death of the pig king" not "the forest of chimera" oh well

 

[Akai]

Um, who says they aren't still in? Three screenshots don't tell us the whole story...

 

[DDayton]

APE was a writing and art design team. Several people who were employed at APE, left to start GameFreak and Creatures.

Isn't Creatures's current president "Hip" Tanaka?

 

[Amir0x]

Seriously, I don't know why Amir0x always bitches about the N64 shots. I think the N64 game looked awesome and that pic there looks just as good as Zelda OoT and other N64 games. I would've really liked a port of it to GC :\

Because N64 era 3D is pretty much the worst thing ever? I'd rather NES era 2D then having to stare at PSX/N64-esque 3D. It's seriously fucking disgusting.

 

[Flakster99]

Hell yeah, I really like what I see!

 

[Bebpo]

Because N64 era 3D is pretty much the worst thing ever? I'd rather NES era 2D then having to stare at PSX/N64-esque 3D. It's seriously fucking disgusting.

Oh, I agree with you here. There aren't many N64 games I'd ever want to replay thanks to their visuals. But I think a touched up version for GC could've been nice

 

[Amir0x]

Oh, I agree with you here. There aren't many N64 games I'd ever want to replay thanks to their visuals. But I think a touched up version for GC could've been nice

Oh that's a different scenario. I'd like a Gamecube/Revolution Mother game with competent 3D too. But this is notalgia-quality 2D, stop the hate!

 

[Porridge]

sometimes the limitations of the psx hardware add character to games. its a different way of seeing it i guess.

metal gear solid for instance has a gritty, cold enviornment and i think the somewhat choppy look of the textures adds to that. anyone agree?

 

[Snaku]

sometimes the limitations of the psx hardware add character to games.

I agree; the original Silent Hill is a perfect example.

 

[gjb-sensei]

sometimes the limitations of the psx hardware add character to games. its a different way of seeing it i guess.

metal gear solid for instance has a gritty, cold enviornment and i think the somewhat choppy look of the textures adds to that. anyone agree?

I'll definitely agree with that. I actually prefer playing the original Metal Gear Solid on the PlayStation as opposed to its GameCube "sister", The Twin Snakes.

 

[BobTheFork]

Um, who says they aren't still in? Three screenshots don't tell us the whole story...

My understanding is that there were 2 ideas for the game. A DIRECT sequel with mother 2 characters, and later (after motherDD was scraped), a mother styled game with all new characters. The ORIGINAL game idea i read about had ness and paula specifically, and they had to (at some point in the game) cross a burning desert using an ice cream cone shaped tank that Dr. Andonuts had designed. Later, the game was changed to "the forest of chimera" and it had flint and his 2 sons. My understanding was that at all times, regardless of which idea was going to be the game, these were 2 separtate possibilities that didnt touch. The pictures with Flint, to me, means that we are getting the second Mother 3 idea, with no conection to Mother2 (earthbound), except possibly the inclusion of Pokey(which i'm now doubtful of due to the screenshots).
So, i guess IM saying no Mr. saturn and Dr. Andonuts, because (due to flint and his dog) there will be no character connection to Mother 2, Again IMO